Natashia Radford - Judge of Racing- Life On The Job

Natashia Radford (6 June - ) - Australia's First Female Race-Day Judge + Property Developer

Natashia Radford Judge
(Source: Elle)

About the Job

As race-day judge, Natashia has the task of declaring the winner. With a horse able to cover six lengths per second, it's a job that takes serious stamina, a cool demeanour, and, of course, a love of everything racing.

In a nut shell a judge judicates a race, meaning they decide who wins the race and the position of the horses to follow. Her job starts days before the actual race. It involves learning all the horses' names and colours for a race meeting (on average there's more than 100 horses per race meeting).

Before a race starts, Natashia said she needs to be there an hour before to ensure everything is running smoothly. She also has to memorize all of the jockies and the horses.

Because she works in a high pressure environment, Natashia said she has to stand by any decisions she makes while also being 'quite sharp' as it is her job to call the winner.

'It is very stressful because in theory you've got a 100 percent strike rate, you can't ever make a mistake because that's the punters money, everyone makes mistakes in jobs but you cant make mistakes in this one.'

'You know that every time you give your decision it's 100 percent correct. I struggled like that when I started out in the job, I was young and not as confident.

That's what I struggled with most with this job - making sure you back yourself 110 percent all the time.' (Source: Daily Mail UK)

During the race I follow similar methodology as a race caller by recalling the horses and watching for any horses that may be pulled up or may have a change in race tactics. My adrenaline then kicks into gear as they come down the home straight and I record by sight to paper the field of horses to cross the line in less than three seconds (most times it's one to two seconds). (Source: Elle)

(Source: Elle)

Introduction

How did you become involved in racing?

I grew up riding horses and at the age of 18 I was fortunate enough to work for the late Bart Cummings and also Graeme Rogerson. A few years later I worked casually as an equine pool supervisor, so I have always had a love for horses.

With horse
She worked casually on the weekends at the races while working a government job in Canberra
(Source: Daily Mail UK)

How does it feel to be the first female race-day judge in Australia?

What an honour; I've worked hard for it though. It's not just about being a judge; my message is to do whatever your heart desires. Don't let gender, ethnicity or a disability hold you back. Just work hard and keep pushing until you reach your goals–it's not easy!

Do you think Australian Racing is becoming more inclusive of women?

To the general public, I feel it is perceived that women are now being involved in racing, and it's a new thing. Yet when I was working in the racing stables ten years ago, there was already a large percentage of women working in the stables, riding horses and working in the office. So in some aspects the presence of women within racing was pre-existing, yet there has been an increase in female jockeys, which is fab news! (Source: Elle)

What qualities do you need to be a successful Race-Day Judge?

You need to have a fantastic memory, be as cool as a cucumber and possess a sharp mind and eye to capture a tight finish by sight. (Source: Elle)

Race courses Natashia has judged at
Taken from the Australian Horse Racing FB page, a map of Victorian race courses back in the 1960’s. Natashia has judged at the coloured in courses.
(Source: Natashia Radford Instagram)

Education & Training

Education: Deakin University: Bachelor's Degree - Business/Commerce
2015 - 2017

Clairvaux MacKillop College, Brisbane
Year 12 Certificate
2000 - 2005

Experiences

Raceday Judge - Racing Victoria
March 2015 - Present

Racing Official - Judge
Harness Racing Victoria
May 2014 - 2016 - 2 years

Racing Official - Judge
Racing NSW
November 2012 - December 2014 - 2 years 2 months

VRC Carnival 2016 - page 82
Melbourne Cup Carnival 2016 Natashia Radford is raising the profile of women in the racing industry: the 28 year old is Victoria's first and so far only female racing judge.
(Source: LinkedIn)

Links

YouTube: VRC Melbourne Cup Women Exhibition 2016 - Natashia Radford
https://youtu.be/1VPbJBVD3r0

Learning the colours!

Primary Middle Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking
Australian Curriculum General Capability: Personal and social capability
Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

Cooperative Learning Activity

1. You are individually to learn the silks [colours] of the jockeys and the names of the horses of the Melbourne Cup 2019 from the following diagram:

Silk colours

2. What is your strategy to learn all these silk colours and connected horse names? Share with a partner.

3. Give yourself a half an hour to learn them all. Test yourself.

4. Get a partner to test you. How many did you get correct?

5. What are the horse names for the following silk colours?

A.	B.	C.	D.
E.	F.	G.	H.

6. What are the horse names for the following silk colours?

Horse A	Horse B
Horse C	Horse D

7. Discussion

As a class, discuss how hard or easy it was to remember all the 24 horse names and colours. What if you had to do this each weekend for 3 races? How do you think you would go each week?

What other strategies would you put in place to remember each horse, jockey and silk colours?

Optional Extra

View the Melbourne Cup 2019 with NO sound and see if you can call the race!

2019 Melbourne Cup - full race from 4.05mins
https://youtu.be/f8OuHJtNUUI